slow rising hcg

Hello. I am currently pregnant according to my 1st beta hcg reading which was 47 on 11/26 and on 11/28, it had only gone up to 70 on 11/28. I did my 1st IVF cycle and I have a history of an ectopic pregnancy so I am very worried this one is headed that way as well. I don't really have too many symptoms of pregnancy either. I did have spotting and cramping on and off, cramps have gone away, but the light spotting persists. My RE wants me to stay on progesterone for now and go back for another beta on 11/30. I feel like the progesterone is just delaying the inevitable. My question is, what should my hcg be tomorrow in order to have this be viable? Also, have you seen any successful pregnancies come out of slow rising numbers such as mine? Thanks for your help.

[Keith Downing, MD]

Hello,

I would encourage you to follow the instructions of your REI doc.  One expects the hCG to rise ~50% +/- every 48hrs.  Also, it is important to continue the progesterone (given this is an IVF pregnancy) to give yourself the best chance to suceed.

Best regards,

Dr. Downing

[worriedmom2b]

I know exactly how you feel.  My lmc was 10/13/07.  I started having a brown discharge and have spotted on 3 different occasions.  My 1st HCG level was 8,402, my 2nd was 11,659, and my 3rd was 14,624.  I go for another test on Monday.  The nurse I call to get my results is concerned being that my numbers aren't doubling.  The doctor that signs off on the nurses' request for more blood work will call and tell me that everything looks okay.  The doctor says that the numbers aren't always supposed to double but should at least rise by 40% every 2 days.  My first and second set were borderline and my second and third set were below borderline.  Guess time is a teller of all things.  Good luck on your pregnancy and God bless.

[andykk]

I am feeling your worries! I had my first beta on day 7 (ivf cycle) and it was 35, then day 11, and it was still 35, so they tested again two days later and it had gone up to 80.1, so we thought we were heading in the right direction. Then I did another beta on day 14 and it had only gone up to 118, and the doc wanted it to go up to at least 160. Going in on Monday for another beta to really answer the question if this pregnancy is viable or not. Very frustrating roller coaster ride and no for sure answers can be given. I have cruised all the websites I can on increasing hcg levels and come to the same conclusion I am hearing from the docs (just hoping to fall into that miracle category!) that if the levels don't double in 2-3 days this early in pregnancy it is probably going to end in a miscarriage. So hard, since we found out SO soon.